Can Melatonin Extend The Lifespan
So, can melatonin extend lifespan? In a word, yes, I think that it can. We now have some evidence in both animal and human studies.
Have you heard about sirtuins? It is a family of fascinating proteins that serve as regulators of metabolic status in general and lifespan in particular. You guessed it. Melatonin stimulates expression of sirtuins.
Melatonin also has a role in maintaining telomeres. Like a plastic tip on shoelace, a telomere protects the end of chromosome. Shortening of telomeres causes cells to age and eventually triggers cell death. Melatonin prevents telomere reduction, increasing the life span of cells.
In human studies, so far the only intervention that has consistently increased longevity was caloric restriction. Does not sound attractive, now does it? However, even here, melatonin can be of service. It just may be that caloric restriction works its miracles through melatonin.
For example, the levels of melatonin in food-restricted rats were twice as high as in their counterparts with free access to food. In several studies, rats that were given melatonin in drinking water had significantly increased life span. Interestingly, the animals displayed more youthful behavior. Melatonin-fed rats not only lived longer they seemed to have more fun while at it!
Common Anticholinergic Drugs Like Benadryl Linked To Increased Dementia Risk
- By Beverly Merz, Executive Editor, Harvard Womenâs Health Watch
One long-ago summer, I joined the legion of teens helping harvest our valleys peach crop in western Colorado. My job was to select the best peaches from a bin, wrap each one in tissue, and pack it into a shipping crate. The peach fuzz that coated every surface of the packing shed made my nose stream and my eyelids swell. When I came home after my first day on the job, my mother was so alarmed she called the family doctor. Soon the druggist was at the door with a vial of Benadryl tablets. The next morning I was back to normal and back on the job. Weeks later, when I collected my pay , I thanked Benadryl.
Today, Im thankful my need for that drug lasted only a few weeks. In a report published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers offers compelling evidence of a link between long-term use of anticholinergic medications like Benadryl and dementia.
Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine. This substance transmits messages in the nervous system. In the brain, acetylcholine is involved in learning and memory. In the rest of the body, it stimulates muscle contractions. Anticholinergic drugs include some antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, medications to control overactive bladder, and drugs to relieve the symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
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Who Can Take Melatonin
The following issues can benefit from taking melatonin supplements:
- Jetlag: Travelling across multiple time zones gives you jetlag and disturbs your sleep pattern.
- Shift work sleep disorder: Shift work disorder can be caused by working night shifts, rotating shifts, or even an early morning shift. This leads to sleep deprivation and the inability to fall asleep when you need to.
- Insomnia: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Delayed sleep phase disorder : You cannot fall asleep fast, so you end up staying awake beyond midnight and find it difficult waking up early in the morning when you need to.
Doctors have also recommended melatonin supplements for the following conditions:
- Sleep disorders and certain developmental and behavioral disorders in children
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Memory Loss Cause # 7 Thyroid Problems
According to current medical researches, hypothyroidism is present in regarding 5% of people over the age of 65, and females are practically three times as most likely to have thyroid concerns. Hyperthyroidism is just as hazardous, both to rest and also overall health, and also research study reveals that 15% of individuals detected with an over active thyroid more than the age of 65.
Little is recognized about how precisely thyroid problems influence memory, however research study reveals a clear link between memory loss and hypo as well as hyperthyroidism. Speak to your physician to discover out more about your thyroid wellness and if there is anything you can do to help boost your memory.
Why Its Important To Start Melatonin Early
Researchers agree that its best to start taking melatonin before symptoms arise and before physical changes in brain cells have occurred.
One particular animal study demonstrated just how dramatic melatonins preventive properties really are. For the study, scientists used mice that had human genes predisposed to Alzheimers disease .7
By late-middle age, the unsupplemented mice proceeded to develop the behavioral and cognitive deficits typical of the disease. In fact, even before signs of disease were visible, the animals brains already manifested the typical increased oxidation and decreased intracellular antioxidant defenses seen in Alzheimers.7 Soon their brain cells began to die off.
However, mice that were supplemented with melatonin before any disease was evident showed none of those pathological changesand they performed normally on cognitive and behavioral tests.
This shows just how powerfully melatonin works as a preventive agent. Unfortunately, its been difficult to prove these preventive benefits in people because human trials of interventions for Alzheimers tend to start only after the disease has become apparentand well after the window of opportunity for intervention has closed. Nonetheless, very encouraging findings come from studies showing that Alzheimers patients taking melatonin experience improved sleep patterns, less sundowning, and slower progression of cognitive impairment.23,24
What You Need to Know
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How Melatonin Improves Memory As We Age
Yes, melatonin improves memory, but it can benefit you in many other ways. If your aim is to optimize your health and extend your healthspan, consider supplementing with melatonin.
Im going to explain how melatonin improves memory in a bit, but first I want to describe and underscore its overall importance to health.
Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland in your brain at night, so it has long been associated with control of your natural sleepwake cycle. As a dietary supplement typically taken by mouth, melatonin is often used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, such as from jet lag or shift work. A good nights rest is important, but the value of a melatonin supplement routine extends well beyond restful sleep.
For instance, its very important that you get a sufficient amount of melatonin to support the many biological functions that it affects, especially as you age, such as:
- Cognitive function
- Free radicals, and
- Neurological/psychological health.
Unfortunately, our pineal gland produces less and less melatonin as we get older, so since we all age, lets address this first, then move on to how melatonin improves memory, protects against Covid and the rest.
How To Avoid Side Effects
Use the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Take it and immediately get into bed. Allow at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep to ensure avoidance of morning hangover effects. Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule.
If you have other symptoms such as snoring, witnessed apnea, gasping, teeth grinding , frequent urination at night , persistent awakenings, or excessive daytime sleepiness, consider evaluation for sleep apnea.
Do not use Ambien with alcohol or other drugs that affect the brain. This may worsen the effects on memory and could even lead to dangerous problems, such as disrupted breathing.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that women use lower doses of Ambien due to the potential effects on morning function, especially driving.
If you find yourself having difficulties after taking the medication, you may want to speak with your doctor and consider lowering the dose or tapering it off. If you experience serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately and discuss the need to discontinue use of the medication to avoid recurrence of these problems. Once the medication has cleared out of your system, it is unlikely to continue to affect your health.
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Healthier Alternatives For Treating Insomnia
Before you reach for Benadryl or another antihistamine, you should try other, healthier alternatives for treating insomnia.
These include but arent limited to the following.
Melatonin, Chamomile, and CBD
All of these sleep aids offer natural relief for insomnia sufferers. Unlike Benadryl which has a long list of adverse side effects, each of these natural supplements can ease insomnia symptoms with no adverse reactions.
Melatonin is a natural hormone released by your body to help prepare for sleep. Its also credited for helping stabilize your bodys circadian-rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. If youre suffering from insomnia and having trouble falling asleep, a melatonin supplement may help.
Chamomile is popular in tea and can help induce sleep. Chamomile contains an antioxidant known as apigenin which binds to receptors in the brain that initiate sleep and help reduce anxiety.
While research is still being done on CBD and its benefits, countless people use this non psychoactive product to help fall asleep faster and experience a more restful nights sleep. Available in a variety of forms including oils, edibles, and capsules, be sure to check your local laws regarding the sale and purchase of products containing CBD.
Prescription Medications
If your doctor determines that you have chronic insomnia and your lack of sleep is significantly impacting your life, they may recommend prescription medication.
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Is It Safe For Alzheimers Patients Yo Take Sleep Aidswhat Should I Do If I Experience Side Effects
The routine use of medications to treat sleep issues in patients with Alzheimers disease is not supported by current scientific evidence. Sleep aids carry extra risks for people with Alzheimers they can cause falls and injury, increase memory loss and confusion, and may have an overly sedative effect. Sleep aids are typically reserved for cases where all other options have been exhausted and should only be given under guidance of a physician.
Melatonin supplements have been studied as a possible option for improving sleep quality in Alzheimers patients. However, research examining the effectiveness of melatonin supplements in people with dementia has produced conflicting results. Some studies demonstrated a small benefit, increasing nighttime sleep by around 30 minutes, while other studies showed no benefit. There is also evidence to suggest that melatonin supplements may increase social withdrawal and depression in patients with dementia.
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Memory Loss Cause #11 Stress And Anxiety
To some level, tension can assist your memory, Legendre claims. Both ends of the continuum too little anxiety, or as well much can hurt your memory. Contrary to what we might believe, not having enough stress hormonal agents can be as bad for your memory as having too a lot, Legendre claims.Learn more about Can Melatonin Cause Memory Loss in this article.
To limit exactly how anxiety impacts your focus and also memory, Legendre suggests structure mindfulness techniques right into your day. For example, try meditation for a few minutes everyday. These practices aid you recognize today moment and also focus on what youre doing, she claims.
Is Melatonin For Alzheimers Safe Learn How It Can Help
Alzheimers Disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes ongoing damage to the cells in the brain,
affecting memory, speech, and mobility, and making it difficult to carry out some normal, everyday tasks.
Its a very common condition, and its estimated that around 25 million people have Alzheimers Disease around the world.
There is no cure for Alzheimers, but there are some treatment options.
New Alzheimers research has focused upon more natural ways to manage the symptoms of Alzheimers Disease.
Vitamins such as vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 have been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of Alzheimers Disease,
but perhaps of even more interest is the recent research into ways to minimize some of the symptoms in existing patients,
helping them to enjoy a higher quality of life. One of the most promising natural treatments for Alzheimers is melatonin.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a chronobiotic hormone, which means that its produced rhythmically by the pineal gland,
giving it a certain power and control over internal processes.
Thanks to the synchronized production, melatonin has the ability to influence the bodys cycle throughout the day
essentially, the body knows when melatonin is secreted and operates accordingly.
There are many aspects that are believed to be somewhat regulated by the production and release of melatonin,
including the sleep/wake cycle, core temperature, and brain-body communications through neurological pathways.
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What Is Sleep Disordered Breathing
Sleep disordered breathing is when someone has difficulty breathing when they are asleep. This may be because of obstructions to the airway, making breathing harder work. Sleep disordered breathing is sometimes called sleep apnoea. People of all ages can be affected by sleep disordered breathing, but it is most common in older people and people with obesity. Some research has suggested that people who are affected by sleep disordered breathing may be at higher risk of cognitive decline or impairment. This is because sleep disordered breathing may cause damage to the brain due to changes of levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. It may also change flow of blood to the brain.
Dementia Connect support line
Can Melatonin Cause Memory Loss
Forgetting where you put your glasses or keys is a common occurrence even in younger adults. But as we age, it seems that forgetfulness becomes more problematic and occurs more often. Still, few seniors understand what causes memory loss to begin with, and how can you tell if its something more serious. Understanding common memory loss is an important first step in determining if your forgetfulness might indicate a more serious condition. Now If you want to learn the number 1 cause for memory loss youll have to watch this video. It will shock you but once you fix it your memory will start to improve. Here are 12 potential causes for your memory loss which could answer your Can Melatonin Cause Memory Loss Question.How To Double Your Brain Power.
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The Relationship Between Dementia And Sleep
Sleep and dementia is a complicated topic. Different types of dementia are associated with different sleep problems. Researchers are also not yet sure which way the interaction goes – whether poor sleep causes or exacerbates dementia or if dementia leads to poor sleep. Some researchers believe that both of these theories could be true, and the relationship could be circular.
On top of this, it is unclear what the mechanisms are that underlie these interactions.
It is clear that more research is needed to understand this relationship in particular research that observes large groups of affected people for very long periods of time.
Dementia research volunteering
Memory Loss Cause # 10 Dementia
An apparent description to worsening memory problems, particularly the capacity to remember recent events, names, as well as phone numbers, is Alzheimers disease as well as related dementias. While not all older adults experience memory-related illness, the risk of creating mental deterioration increases with age. New innovations in technology have actually made it feasible to detect Alzheimers disease in your physicians office with a basic eye test, as well as there are numerous cognitive examinations that can also be performed to aid figure out the specific nature of your memory issues, so make certain to reach out to your medical professional if you presume your memory issues are ending up being a trouble for you..
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How To Increase Melatonin Levels Naturally
Luckily, you can increase your melatonin levels without supplementing.
A few hours before bedtime, simply dim all lights at home and avoid watching TV and using your computer or smartphone.
Too much artificial light can reduce the production of melatonin in the brain, making it harder for you to fall asleep .
You can also strengthen your sleep-wake cycle by exposing yourself to plenty of natural light during the day, especially in the morning .
Other factors that have been associated with lower natural melatonin levels include stress and shift work.
Summary Fortunately, you can increase your natural melatonin production naturally by sticking to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding artificial light late in the evening.
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Forward Progress For Thinking Back
While memory-maxing mice may help to stave off their cognitive decline, what does this research mean for humans?
We are hopeful that future studies will show similar effects in older people, Hattori said in the press release. If this happens, AMK therapy could eventually be used to reduce the severity of Mild Cognitive Impairment and its potential conversion to Alzheimers disease. But this is no small feat, because any efforts to single out melatonin as a scientifically vetted memory booster in a crowded market of supposed recall supplements would require both substantive testing and statistically significant results.
As PNAS notes, theres good reason to believe that human trials will mostly mimic work with mice. For example, a 1999 investigation of Rett syndrome which can cause slowed growth, loss of coordination and breathing problems in children found that a specific mutation of gene MECP2 was the primary cause. Removing this gene in mice caused them to display symptoms similar to those of affected humans.
If AMK applications do live up to expectations, theres potential for this melatonin metabolite to become part of the standard treatment model for MCI and other age-related cognitive concerns. Even if results in humans arent as substantive as those in mice, the ability to reduce familiar object confusion and improve day-to-day life could be significant. It also suggests a massive market opportunity for synthetic melatonin producers and distributors.